Below is the second portion of the travel tips from Alex McCord and her husband Simon van Kempen. You can learn more about their family at their McCord van Kempen site. (You can see Part I here.)
At the Airport and On the Plane:
“If possible, check the configuration of the plane before choosing your seats. If you are flying coach, the first row may have the best legroom or the worst. I usually prefer to book seats close to the restroom as the kids will invariably need to go more than once. There’s always a lot of ambient noise around the bathrooms or the galley, and you’ll be removed from most of the plane when the kids get cranky from the long flight. Wherever you sit, place children away from the aisle, preferably between responsible adults. A good way to check the configuration of the plane ahead of time is to visit www.seatguru.com “ Also, remember to get up, stretch and walk around with kids often during the flight, but do not allow children to walk around unsupervised. Whenever possible, book a nonstop flight. This streamlines your trip and prevents change-of-flight problems. Traveling at nonpeak times– midday and Mondays to Wednesdays–gives you a good chance of getting on less-crowded flights. Arrive at the airport early. Sprints down an endless terminal are difficult enough but they are nearly impossible when packing a baby on your back and holding a preschooler’s hand. Since airplanes tend to be cold, make sure all children have an extra sweater or jacket at their seat. Don’t forget to grab blankets and pillows as you board; there won’t be any left later on when your kids want them.
Alex cautions, “Don’t forget to talk with your child about the trip, explaining each stage of the boarding process and the flight. Make sure young children realize that the bumpiness and engine noises are normal and not a signal of an impending crash. Get the kids excited about “going fast” on the runway before going “up, up & away!” ”
At the hotel:
Put safety first by avoiding a myriad of possible accidents. Make a sweep of balconies and bathrooms for any potential dangers. Hide away small objects, accessible medications and cleaners children could get their hands on. If you have rented someone’s vacation home, make sure any fragile items are well out of reach. Familiarize yourself with the building fire and emergency evacuation routes and procedures. If your vacation includes a trip to a pool, ocean, water park or any other place involving water, the number one rule is to never let children venture off alone. Even if they know how to swim, children should never be unattended. Also, it is important to know what to expect in the water, such as jellyfish or strong riptides. Very cold temperatures, biting fish, and sudden drop-offs are all things to avoid, especially with children. Sunburn can ruin any vacation.Apply waterproof sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) before you head outside as you’ll be able to see better and avoid accidental sand exfoliation. “My boys love the sunscreen spray that comes out blue, which also helps avoid missing a spot. If your kids are like mine, they won’t keep a hat or sunglasses on for long so a gallon or two of sunscreen helps.”
(Check back on Friday 8/7 for Part 111.)
